Tara Cardiff, MA (Psychotherapy) is a Somatic Experiencing therapist in Guelph, Ontario.
About Me
I completed my studies in the Psychotherapy Master of Arts program at Wilfrid Laurier University. I also have an Undergraduate science degree in Occupational Therapy from McGill University, and additional training in several approaches to trauma therapy and somatics, including:
I have worked for 19 years in the areas of mental health and rehabilitation with individuals, families, and groups, including extensive work with LGBTQ+ and multicultural communities. After working with many individuals who had a history of trauma connected to their anxiety or depression, I decided to pursue training in gradual, gentle approaches to trauma integration. These approaches, such as Somatic Experiencing, can be very effective in resolving trauma-related physical and emotional symptoms - without requiring you to retell the whole story. Trauma healing has been a major focus of my work for the last eight years.
I live and work in Guelph. Outside of work, I enjoy going on outdoor adventures with my kids, and planning sci-fi movie parties. I’m also a fan of introvert-friendly activities like reading, and making music and visual art.
Somatic Psychotherapy Training
Somatic Experiencing Professional Training Program (3 years; 216 hours plus consultations) — Somatic Experiencing International. A gentle, effective body-mind approach to healing from cumulative stress, trauma, and PTSD.
Somatic Experiencing Master Class: Chronic Pain & Syndromes — Working with the Somatic Side of Trauma (32 hours) — Dr. Peter Levine. Trauma healing and somatics, adapted for people who have chronic pain, chronic illness, or certain autoimmune conditions.
NeuroAffective Touch: Renegotiating Developmental and Relational Trauma (Foundation Training Modules 1-4) — Dr. Aline LaPierre. Integrates somatic psychology, relational psychotherapy, and developmental theory. Addresses the cognitive, emotional, and relational difficulties that can be hard to reach with talk therapy alone.
Trauma Integration Training
EMDR Foundational Training — Dr. Amanda Bell. Structured trauma treatment that involves briefly recalling a trauma memory while experiencing bilateral stimulation.
The Zentangle Approach to the Flash Technique — Jennifer Marchand, MA. Originally used to reduce distress on a memory before EMDR processing, Flash Technique is now a standalone trauma treatment modality that adds a positive engaging focus to the trauma integration process, and can be quicker and better tolerated than EDMR.
Integrative Attachment and Trauma Treatment Model — Processing and integrating traumatic and stressful experiences using an art- and sensory-based approach; suitable for children, youth, and adults.
Comprehensive Resource Model (Basic Training) — Lisa Schwartz, MEd. A neurobiologically-based, emotion-focused trauma treatment approach for healing from early developmental trauma.
Complex Trauma Certification Training — Dr. Janina Fisher. Healing from early trauma, complex trauma, and dissociation.
Other Training
Safe and Sound Protocol — Dr. Stephen Porges. An auditory modality that can be used between therapy sessions. It aims to shift the nervous system out of a fight-or-flight or freeze-collapse-dissociate state, and has been used to treat an exaggerated startle reflex, sound sensitivity, anxious symptomatology, and depressive symptomatology.
Gifted Psychology 101 for Psychologists (6-month course) - Jennifer Harvey Sallin, MA. Training on providing psychotherapy to adults who are intense, intellectually gifted, or creative. The mental health of gifted children and adults can be affected by existential depression, atypical thinking styles, emotional intensity, or a sense of isolation.
Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management Facilitation Certificate — University of Toronto. Those with chronic pain or a trauma history are often interested in developing a mindfulness mediation practice, but often need adaptations to these practices.
Integrative Gender and Sexuality: A Somatic Perspective — Somatic Experiencing International — 2023 Gender and Sexuality Conference.
2SLGBTQ Emotional and Mental Health — Rainbow Health Ontario
Ontario Indigenous Cultural Safety Training — Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
Introduction to Art Therapy — Wilfrid Laurier University
Cognitive and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy — Wilfrid Laurier University